Orange Official May Get Lynx Job

The committee looking for a new Lynx executive director says a veteran Orange County administrator is the right person to help rebuild the agency's damaged reputation.

Byron Brooks, who has been working at Lynx on an interim basis, was the unanimous choice of the six-member panel, which will make its recommendation to Lynx board members on Thursday.

The board, which will make the final decision, is expected to follow the recommendation of the search committee.

"I feel very strongly that Byron is the best fit for Lynx right now," said Russel Hauck, chairman of the selection committee and of the transit agency's board. "He's shown he can do the job."

Brooks, a top administrator on loan from Orange County, has been running Lynx since late May. He came to the agency when the former chief resigned.

Despite a lack of transit experience, Brooks' performance so far has been widely praised. He has trimmed administrative costs and focused on customer service. He has added bus drivers and doubled what the agency spends on cleaning its bus stops.

But Brooks' biggest plus may be his experience in Central Florida. Many officials think his knowledge of Orlando's political landscape and relationships with local leaders are just what Lynx needs to heal itself after the battle over light rail.

"Byron has those capabilities, and he can do that," committee member Pat Christiansen said. "He has an appreciation of the local issues."

Brooks' chances improved considerably last week when a candidate from Georgia withdrew from contention. Nathaniel Ford accepted the top job with Atlanta's much larger transit system. The third candidate is the transit chief in Indianapolis.

If Lynx board members formally choose Brooks Thursday, he will be nudged into unfamiliar territory. At Orange County, Brooks was an important but low-profile administrator.

At Lynx, he will be expected to be a public champion for transit. Some have questioned whether his low-key demeanor is well matched for that job.

Hauck has heard those concerns, but he says he is not overly worried.

"The executive director will have to step into that role," he said. "But you can't expect him to do it alone. Board members will have to be out there, too."

Brooks was making about $120,000 at the county. Since taking over Lynx his salary has been $139,000, the same as the previous executive director. His pay and benefits will have to be negotiated after the Lynx board offers him the job.